IIM-C aims for complete makeover

IIM-C aims for complete makeover

The Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta (IIM-C), which has upped its global ranking this year, is working on a strategy to improve further.

According to the Financial Times London’s Global MBA Ranking 2018, the institute’s rank improved to the 78th position in 2018 from 95thin 2017. The broad parameters on which the institutes are ranked include value for money, career progress, female faculty, female students, international faculty and students.

Bharatendu Nath Srivastava, Director-in-charge, IIM-C, said the institute is exploring the possibility of entering into new partnerships for student and faculty exchange programmes and engaging closely with its alumni. It is also undertaking a review of the curriculum for its two-year flagship PGP programme.

“We have made some plans to improve our ranking globally, and wish to come in the top 50,” Srivastava told BusinessLine. IIM-C has short-duration student exchange programmes. “We are trying to build new partnerships to bring more faculty from other countries as it gives a global orientation. We would also look to bring more students on such exchange programmes,” he said. According to Runa Sarkar, Dean, academics, IIM-C, the institute is in the process of reviewing the curriculum for its two-year PGP course, and hopes to implement the revised curriculum shortly.

“We undertake the review of curriculum once every five years to make sure it is relevant. While many of our course improvements are faculty driven, we also have a systemic review. This should get implemented soon,” she said.

Review is an ongoing process at IIM-C wherein the institute drops two-to-three courses each year and includes courses, which are ‘more relevant’ in the changing economic and global scenario.

Social entrepreneurship

The institute is also looking to work more closely with its alumni, particularly with the people who have ‘tread a different path.’

“We are increasing our connect with social entrepreneurship through courses and other initiatives to encourage students’ interest,” she said.

Students who opt out of placements to try their hands at such social entrepreneurship projects are given the facility of deferred placements. According to Sarkar, there has been a rise in interest among students to pursue such initiatives.